Avalanche Advisory for 2015-04-03 06:56:35

The weather patterns this winter will always keep you guessing.  For long stretches of January and February mild temperatures and sunny days brought corn snow and spring-like conditions to Mount Shasta.  Now, April has begun and cooler, more winter-like conditions are set to return later this weekend.  Weather over the course of the week brought cooler, more seasonal, early spring temperatures to Mount Shasta with a few scattered snow showers on Tuesday and Wednesday.  No significant amount of snow fell during these showers, and accompanying winds were moderate.  General conditions on the mountain are consistent with the typical melt-freeze, isothermic snow pack found during spring time.  Snow surfaces at most elevations and aspects are firm and smooth with some softening in the afternoon.  The cooler temperatures during the week prevented any softening at higher elevations limiting the opportunity to enjoy good corn snow.

A report from an individual who did an early afternoon tour to the top of Powder Bowl yesterday (Thursday) coincides with above stated conditions.  The snow surface at 9,000 feet was just starting to soften by about 1:30, but did not provide ideal corn.  Those who ride, slide and glide will be most happy during the later half of the weekend with the several inches of snow that is forecast to fall.  This will mean, however, that the avalanche conditions will rise as new snow amounts stack up.  We'll have to see what happens as the weekend progresses.

Something unique to note is a lunar eclipse happening early tomorrow morning starting at 3:16 am.  If clouds permit, those who are willing to get up at that hour might get to enjoy the shortest lunar eclipse of the century! 

Photos:
Top Left- Forrest and Alyssa below Shastarama chute on ascent 3/27/2015 - Photo: Jon Dove

Top Right- Shay and Alyssa climbing up into the Shastarama chute proper 3/27/2015 - Photo: Jon Dove

Bottom- Forrest dropping in and slaying the corn, top of Shastarama chute 3/27/2015 - Photo: Jon Dove

Continue to always use safe travel methods: carry situational awareness on your skin up the mountain, choose safe routes and watch for what others are doing, ski one at a time, stop in safe zones!

For folks that plan on climbing Mt. Shasta:  Route conditions on Casaval Ridge, Sargents Ridge, and Avalanche Gulch are currently good.  Snow conditions have made the melt/freeze transition into supportable firm snow at most elevations and aspects.  Snow on more northerly facing aspects may host snow that has not fully transitioned yet, and may be a little punchy.  This means that boot penetration of a few inches is possible.  Firm snow on W-SW-S-SE-E aspects will not soften much during the day making good corn snow harder to find.  Climbers should be advised that the presence of firm, smooth snow means the possibility for a long fall is present.  "Slide for life" conditions exist if self-arrest is not achieved immediately!   The potential for ice fall and rock fall exists and will be happening even in the early morning hours.  A helmet, crampons, and a mountain axe are necessary equipment and should be used. 

Castle Lake and Mt Eddy zones are still hosting a shallow snowpack. All areas below about 6,000 feet in the forecast area are hosting patchy snow with dirt showing around trees and in sunny spots.  For Castle Lake, skiing is out of the question at this point due to lack of snow.

Report your observations to the MSAC! A photo, a few words... send them in! (nimeyers@fs.fed.us or 530-926-9614)

Sand Flat Winter Trails: OPEN, however snow depths are meager and the Lower Sand Flat road is exposed dirt. We recommend heading up to Bunny Flat and touring up the road or anywhere higher in elevation!

Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: CLOSED due to lack of snow

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terrain:  Remember most of the terrain that we like to play on is greater than 30 degrees.  Avalanches are possible on anything steeper than 30 degrees.  Avoid cornices, rock bands, terrain traps and runout zones of avalanche paths.

Weather:  Most of our areas avalanche danger will occur 24-48 hours after a storm. We still can see persistent weak layers from time to time and we always will be sure to let you know about that!  Heed the basic signs: Wind (significant snow transport and depositions), Temperature (rain/snow/rain/snow, which in turn weakens the snowpack), and Precipitation (Snow or rain add weight and stress to the current snowpack).

Snowpack:  If snow accumulates, give the snowpack a chance to adjust to the new snow load before you play on or near steep slopes (greater than 30 degrees).  Most direct action avalanches occur within 24-48 hours of recent snowfall.  Watch for obvious signs of snowpack instability such as recent natural avalanche activity, collapsing of the snowpack (often associated with a “whumphing” sound), and shooting cracks. If you see these signs of instability, limit your recreation to lower angle slopes.

Human Factor: Don’t forget to carry and know how to use avalanche rescue gear. You should NOT be skiing or climbing potential avalanche slopes without having beacons, shovels, and probes.  Only one person in a group should be exposed to potential avalanche danger at a time.  Remember, climbing, skiing, and riding down the edge of slopes is safer than being in the center.  Just because another person is on a slope doesn't’t mean that it is safe.  Be an individual!  Make your own decisions.  Heed the signs of instability: rapid warming, “whumphing” noises, shooting cracks, snowing an inch an hour or more, rain, roller balls, wind loading, recent avalanche activity.

The Five Red Flags of Avalanche Danger any time of year include:  1) Recent/current avalanche activity  2) Whumpfing sounds or shooting cracks  3) Recent/current heavy snowfall  4) Strong winds transporting snow  5) Rapid warming or rain on snow.